Experimenting with Sports Nutrition

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In addition to running a personal best at this year's Philadelphia Marathon on November 17th, my goal is not to bonk.

"Bonking" or "hitting the wall" is the often painful out-of-body experience that tends to hit runners about 17 or so miles into a marathon. I've done a lot of reading about it, and, while the exact cause is debatable, most experts agree it relates to nutrition. Depending on who you consult, our bodies are craving water, protein, carbs or sugar - or some combination of thereof.

Independently two long distance runners I know both recommended I check out a product called Generation UCAN to help avoid bonking.

According to their website, Generation UCAN is a "SuperStartch," a "complex carbohydrate (derived from non-GMO corn) that uniquely stabilizes blood sugar and causes virtually no reaction from the fat-storage hormone insulin."

Generation UCAN comes in powder form and can be mixed with water and ingested before a race to sustain your energy.

Because none of our local running and athletic stores carry Generation UCAN, I ordered a starter pack online. I got a powder packet of each available flavor and a special blender bottle for $29.50.

I had never used powder supplements before, but I assumed they would sit heavy in my stomach. I was pleasantly surprised that the UCAN powder was much lighter than I expected.

I started experimenting with UCAN 30 minutes before long runs. At first, I had a hard time forcing myself to drink it all. The flavors I thought I would like best (pomegranate-blueberry and cranberry-raspberry) tasted like liquified Tums.

Yet, on my runs, including an 18-miler, I felt great. My stomach felt fine and I didn't end in a semi-conscious state.

By the time I tried lemonade and plain, I had wised up and added ice to the drink and let it sit for a while before I drank it. This got rid of the unpleasant powdery taste.

In the end I liked plain the best. I felt like I was drinking water.

I also experimented with Generation UCAN's post-workout recovery drinks that come in chocolate and vanilla. They weren't bad, but they don't beat chocolate milk.

Having given UCAN an honest try, I'm going to stick with it for a little while as a pre-long run drink. I just placed an order for a tub of their plain powder.

If you are interested in this product, I suggest starting with the starter pack like I did so you don't end up spending $60 on something you won't use.

Unlike the past two years when I've trained for the marathon, my longest run has been 18 miles, not 20. It is possible that I haven't run long enough at a single time to know if UCAN will help me avoid hitting the wall.

I still intend to take gels along the way, but I'm cautiously optimistic I will feel more like myself at the end of the race than a walk-on from "The Walking Dead."